Folding key bed for pianos



Oct. 13, 1931.

A. H. MORSE FOLDING KEY BED FOR -PIANOS Filed March 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR WWW 'MK'QM ATTORNEY 0C 13, 1931. A, H, M RSE 1,827,096

FOLDING KEY BED FOR PIANOS INVENTOTZ ATTORNEY 01: 13, 1931. A H, MORSE 1,827,096

FOLDING KEY BED FOR PIANOS 7 Filed March 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 4

FIG-3 IN VENTOR wazarm ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 13, 1931 UNITED sr rss rA aNT OFFICE ARTHUR H. MORSE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE, BALDWIN COMPANY, OF

CINCINNATI, OHIO FOLDING KEY BED r03 rmnos Application filed March 9,

The object of my invention is to build a piano with a folding keybed so that the' piano when not in use will take up very little space and at the same time have a good appearance when closed.

0 piano action.

Another object of my invention is to so balance the folding keybed that the rear end will. rise into position with very little effort and then will slide backward to engage the In the drawings Fig. 1. is a cross section showing the keybed in place for the keys to be played. Fig. 2 is a cross section showing the keybed folded inside the case. Fig. 3 is an end view of the completed piano when closed. 4 is a detail of the key and wippen.

A piano case 1 has a folding keybed 2 that is swung on arms 3 attached to the side of the case 1. On the side of case 1 is a track or guide 4 that runs up and down at a slight angle and curves backward at the upper end so to form a straight horizontal guide at this end. There are guide rollers 5 on the end of the keybed 2 that roll in the slot of guide 4. The keybed 2 has a keyframe 6 and keys 7 pivoted on pins in the keyframefi. A keyslip 8 is in front of the keyframe 6 and at such a height as to cover any opening between the keyframe 6 and the keys 7. There. are also keyblocks at each end to cover any opening when the keybed 2 is pulled open. A. piano action 9 is hung to the back 10 in a position to be easily engaged by the keys 7 when the keybed 2 is opened.

To balance the weight of the keybed 2, keyframe 6, keys 7 keyslip 8 and other parts used. to cover it for appearance, balance springs 11 are fastened to the upper part of the case 1 and to the back of the keybed 2. This balance spring 11 is of the usual coil spring type.

The piano case 1 is made with sides glued to the back 10 which carries the usual sound board, plate and strings. The keybed 2 is swung on the arms 3 that are placed some,- what forward of center on the keybed. When the handles 12 are grasped and the keybed 2 pulled forward the rear end will rise, assisted by the balance springs 11 and the 1931. s mi No. 521,205.

guide rollers 5 will move upward in the slot the. frontend of the wippen 12 and as it moves back the wippen 12 will rise enough to take up any lost motion in the piano ac- Whenit is desired to close the piano the "keybed 2 is pulled forward enough forthe rollers 5 to be over the slant portion of the guide 4 and then the keybed 2 is raised slight- 7 1y at the front and the back will then follow down the guide 4.-

" 'Many modifications may be made of the arms and guides and different balances may be used, but what I claim as my invention is: 1. A piano case having a folding keybed,

guides on the sides of the case, projections on the ends of the keybed for engaging the guides, swinging'arms pivoted to the case-@- sides and to the ends of the keybed in such position that the front of the keybed will swing outward and downward and the rear of the keybed will rise upward and inward.

2. A piano case having a folding keybed,

guides up and down the sides of the case with a cross guide at the upper end, projections on the ends of the keybed for engaging the guides, swinging arms pivoted to the case sides and to the ends of thekeybed in suchposition that the front of the keybed will swing outward and downward and rear of the keybed will rise upward and inward.

3. A piano case having a folding keybed. keys pivoted on the keybed, guides on the sides of the case, projections on the ends of the keybed for engaging the guides, swinging arms pivoted to the ease sides and to the ends of the keybed in such position that the front of the keybed will swing outward and downward and the rear of the keybed will rise upward and inward.

4. A piano case having a folding keybed, keys pivoted on the keybed. guides up and down the sides of the case with a cross guide at the upper end, projections on the ends of the keybed for engaging the guides, swinging arins pivoted to the case sides and to the ends of the keybed in such position that the front of the keybed will swing outward and downward and rear of the keybed will rise upward and inward.

5. A piano case having a folding keybed, keys pivoted on the keybed, balance springs attached to the sides of the case and the back of the keybed, guides up and down the sides of the case with a cross guide at the up er end, projections on the ends of the lie d for engaging the guides, swinging arms pivoted to the case sides and to the ends of the keybed in such position that the front of the keybed will swing outward and downward and rear of the keybed will rise upward and inward.

6. A piano case having, a folding keybed, keys pivoted on the keybed, balance springs attached to the sides of the casevand the back of the keybed, guides up and down the sides ofthe case with a cross guide at the upper end, projections on the ends of the keybed for engaging the guides, swinging arms pivoted tothe case sides and to the ends of the keybed in such position that the front of the keybed will swing outward and downward and rear of the keybed will rise upward and inward. the balance springs supporting the rear of the keybed.

March 7, 1931.

ARTHUR H. MORSE. 

